Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1887-05-05
THE COMMISSION AT WORK
Prospects Good For Plenty of Work to
do For Some Time to Come.
They Are Implored by Some to Sus-
pend Section Four While Others
Beg Them Not To.

ATLANTA, Ca, April 30.-The Inter
State Commission met at 10 O'Clock this
morning. The attendance Of visitors was
not so large as on the first day. The rail-
road officials closed their cases so far as
the examination of witnesses was con-
cerned many had left the city. number
of railway men, however, were present.
Judge Cooley announced the readiness
of the Commission to hear from those
favoring the enforcement of the long and
short haul clause. None responded. A
memorial was received from wilmington,
n. c.. signed by members of the Chamber
of Commerce and Produce Exchange,
strongly urgingly the enforcement of the
long and short haul section. No further
testimony was taken on his point. A
strong memorial was presented from bus
ness men of Opelika, Ala, showing how
railroads Disseminated against that town
in favor of Columbus and Montgomery.
Judge Cooley asked if there were any
more witnesses to be examined, and none
appearing he stated that arguments
would be heard. Judge Chisholm. coun-
sci of the plant system, made an argu-
ment favoring the suspension of the long
and short haul claims. He was followed
by Genersl F. p. Alexander, president of
the Georgia Central Road, on the same
side. The commission then took a recess
until .. N.
At the afternoon session Major G. A.
Hanson summed up the argument for
suspension of the forth section. He de-
clared that merchants represented only
local interest, while manufactures need
low rate in order to distribute their wares
throughout the Union. Low rates for
long hauls enable surplus products to be
distributed to insufficiently supplied sec
tions. Local rates were at present low
enough. Small towns were asking to be
put on an equality with large cities. de
alleged that farmers had no grievance or
they would be represented. To this ID. t,
Hill, lawyer from Dallas, Tex, demur-
red He said he represented some farm
ers, and that the mass of the farmers were
unrepresented only because they had faith
that the commission would do justice and
enforce the whole law. The Commission
left for Noble tonight.
WASHINGTON, April 3O.-A petition num-
erously signed by citizens of California
was received at the Interstate Commits
sion headquarters to-day, requesting the
commission not to suspend the operation,
of the forth section of the law, so far as
Gu6 Gull u6IG6 Vi buo L dClIO Soop 40 ScA
cerned, until an opportunity be efforded
all interested persons to be heard. The
petitioners say they do not asked for
special protection for goods manufaotur-
ed on the Pacific cost, but they do expect
Pacific cost manufactures will not be dis
eliminated against by having the surplus
product of Eastern States brought there
at anominol freight rate, to interfere with
manufacturing interest, while higher
rates in charged to get their goods out of
the state. The petitioners, however, ap-
prove of the suspension of the fourth
section, Oh articles requiring low rates
and ia id transit for long distances, and
ask favorable consideration of resolutions
recently adopted by the San Francisco
Chamber of Commerce.
A communication was received from
the Chamber of Commerce of Tacoma,
W. T., asking that transcontinental rail
road lines be exempted from section 4.
1t represents that since the new law went
into effect rates between New York,
Chicago and Pacific coast points show an
increase of 100 per cent, and on some
classes of goods nearly 200 per cent, and
adds that if strict construction of the
law, is adhend to the effect will De practi-
cally prohibitory of either immigration
from or trade with the East, and the tor
ritory will suffer incalculable injury.